UF Law Dean Robert Jerry, right, presents W. George Allen (JD 62), the university’s first black graduate, with a plaque in the Marcia Whitney Schott Courtyard. (Photo by Marcela Suter)

By Matt WalkerSenior writer

When W. George Allen became the first African-American to graduate from the University of Florida in 1962, it was not only a victory for him, but also for countless others who had fought for equality for decades at the university.

On Friday, Oct. 12, the University of Florida and UF Levin College of Law celebrated the 50th anniversary of Allen’s graduation from UF Law with a special program that looked back at the struggle leading to the acceptance of black students at the university and the groundwork laid for future generations by Virgil Hawkins, whose persistence in the courts led to UF Law’s integration, and George Starke, the first black person admitted to UF Law.

The Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom was filled to capacity and visitors filed into overflow areas as speakers reflected on the civil rights struggle and Allen’s role. Katheryn Russell-Brown, UF Law professor and director of the Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations, and Terry Nealy, president of the UF Association of Black Alumni, served as moderators. The celebration was co-sponsored by the University of Florida Alumni Association, Association of Black Alumni, UF Law and its Center for the Study of Race and Relations. The program served as the kick-off for the University of Florida’s Black Alumni Weekend.

“The integration story of Florida, not just in our institution but higher education throughout this entire state, the integration story of Florida began here,” Nealy said, “so it is appropriate that we kick off the opening ceremony of the Black Alumni Weekend where it all began – at the college of law.”

The celebration was punctuated with frequent applause and standing ovations as UF Law Dean Robert Jerry discussed desegregation heroes in the United States, attorney Harley Herman looked back at the legacy of Virgil D. Hawkins, who’s lawsuits against UF led to the university agreeing to accept African-American students, and UF Law alumna Ava Parker (JD 87) recounted the story of the first black person to enroll in UF, George H. Starke Jr. The program also included reflections from JaDawnya Butler (JD 04) and Brandon Campbell (2L), president of the Black Law Student Association.

The crowd was moved during the video essay, “First Footsteps: The Struggle for Racial Desegregation at UF,” which offered a detailed and sometimes jarring look back at the relationships of African-Americans with UF and the Alachua County area in the 20th century. The essay was produced by UF African-American Studies Professor Patricia Hilliard-Nunn.

Allen delivered the keynote speech, where he described his experience at UF Law as both bitter and sweet. He said he was met with much opposition when he began law school in September of 1960 as the only black student on campus. He said one of the sweet parts came when he realized that he was a direct beneficiary of the compromise made by Hawkins when he withdrew his application from the law school in exchange for the university agreeing to accept black students.

“Another sweet part was that (my wife) Enid and I realized we were engaging in an era that would open up higher education in Florida for all, including our children, our grandchildren, and many of you and your progeny,” Allen said.

In 1960, Allen and his wife were living in Berkeley, Calif., where he was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He had been accepted to Harvard Law School and the law school at the University of California at Berkeley, each of which he could have attended on scholarship.

“I failed to convince my wife Enid that it made economic sense to pay for an education at a segregated school when I could get scholarships to attend two prestigious school ranked higher than the law school at the University of Florida,” he said.

Allen said that by graduating from UF Law he was able to fulfill the tenacity, spirit, expectations, determination and will of Hawkins.

“So today I dedicate these 50 years of desegregation, 50 years of progress, 50 years of educating Florida’s best, brightest and successful students to the Bard of Okahumpka, Lake County’s favorite son, Lake County’s most famous son, Virgil Darnell Hawkins, my mentor, my friend, my hero,” Allen said in closing. “God bless you Virgil, and your spirit; you started a revolution and Florida is better because of you and your good work.”

The program concluded near the Marcia Whitney Schott Courtyard with the unveiling of a plaque honoring Allen’s legacy and graduation from UF Law.

The University of Florida Levin College of Law will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the graduation of W. George Allen with a special afternoon program at the law school. In 1962, Allen helped pave the way for generations of students in Florida by becoming the first African-American to graduate from the University of Florida and UF Law.

The celebration will be held Oct. 12, at 3 p.m. in UF Law’s Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom. It is co-sponsored by the University of Florida Alumni Association and Association of Black Alumni, Levin College of Law and Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations. The event is free and open to the public.

The program will be hosted by UF Association of Black Alumni President Terry Nealy and Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations Director Katheryn Russell-Brown, with comments from UF Law Dean Robert Jerry, UF Provost Joseph Glover, Northern Florida District Judge Stephan Mickle and attorney Harley Herman. There will also be reflections from UF Law alumni and attorneys including Ava Parker and Chris Chestnut.

Presentations will feature a keynote speech from Allen, a look back at the desegregation of Florida and the legacy of Virgil Hawkins. Hawkins was denied admission to UF Law in 1949 based solely on his race and fought for admission until 1958, when he withdrew his application in exchange for a Florida Supreme Court order desegregating UF’s graduate and professional schools.

The celebration will conclude with the unveiling of a special plaque on the UF Law campus honoring Allen.

Allen was accepted into UF Law in 1960, after he graduated from Florida A&M and served two years in the Army. Living in California at the time, Allen turned down law school admissions to Berkeley and Harvard. He said he was intent on returning to the South to be where the “action” was, referring to the civil rights struggles that were bubbling to the surface.

After graduating from UF Law in 1962, Allen moved to Fort Lauderdale, where he helped lead the fight for the integration of Broward County’s public school system, and established his own practice, where he has specialized in trial work, probate, personal injury, insurance defense and wrongful death law.

Earlier on Oct. 12 at UF Law, the CSRRR will moderate the panel discussion, “Leadership and Law: Diverse Perspectives on the Role of Race and Participation in Professional Legal Organizations.” The event begins with a reception and luncheon at noon, followed by the discussion from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The panel will feature leaders from national, state, and local bar associations looking at how race has influenced the past, present and future of their respective organization. The goal of the event is to foster a dialogue on avenues for leadership and joint initiatives that transcend racial and other divides. RSVP here.

The symposium is a joint initiative of UF Law’s Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations, the 8th Judicial Circuit Bar Association, and the Josiah T. Walls Bar Association.

The 3 p.m. Allen celebration kicks off UF’s Black Alumni Weekend in Gainesville, Oct. 12 to 14. The weekend honors civil rights pioneers who were instrumental in desegregating the state’s universities and offers the opportunity to reunite Gators from every decade so they leave Gainesville closer and stronger than ever before. Read more. (Note: Details of some BAW events are tentative. Check the site closer to the weekend for finalized information.)